The purpose of the GRA proposal is simple: To force Americans to stop putting their retirement savings money into private 401(k) accounts and send their money to the government instead.

GRAs would “eliminate the favorable tax treatment currently afforded to 401(k) plans, and instead use those dollars to fund government-invested GRAs into which all employees would be required to contribute a portion of their salary,” according to a letter signed by House Minority Leader John Boehner and 12 other Republican representatives.

Zack is the former executive producer of Heartland Media and the editor of Somewhat Reasonable, the blog of the Heartland Institute. Previously, Zack spent 2 1/2 years as the executive producer of the long-running public affairs program Extension 720 with Milt Rosenberg.